Bangkok, Thailand – August 31, 2024 – The Thailand Charter of Health, in collaboration with Mae Fah Luang University and the Thai Association of Aesthetic & Anti-Aging Academy, hosted a groundbreaking International Workshop on Cancer Prevention and Integrative Cancer Therapies. The event brought together some of the world’s leading experts in cancer treatment, showcasing the latest advancements in immunotherapy, therapeutic antibodies, and the use of medical cannabis in oncology.
Opening Remarks: A Call for Innovation and Connection
Dr. Kampon Sriwatanakul, Chairman of the Thailand Charter of Health, opened the workshop with a powerful message of unity and progress. “As the Chairman of the Thailand Charter of Health, I would like to invite everyone to join together,” Dr. Kampon urged the audience. He emphasized that innovation and connection are the two pillars that can truly save the world. “With these two key elements, we can create a future where cancer is no longer a death sentence, but a manageable condition.”
Dr. Kampon’s words set the tone for the workshop, highlighting the importance of collaborative efforts in advancing cancer research and treatment. His call to action resonated with the audience, comprising medical professionals, researchers, and healthcare policy makers from around the globe.
Advancing Immunotherapy: The Future of Cancer Treatment
The first presentation was delivered by Dr. Pongrama Ramasoota, a distinguished professor from the Faculty of Tropical Medicine at Mahidol University. Dr. Ramasoota’s talk focused on the transformative potential of immunotherapy in cancer treatment. He explored the mechanisms by which immunotherapy harnesses the body’s own immune system to target and destroy cancer cells.
Dr. Ramasoota highlighted recent advancements in personalized medicine, where treatments are tailored to the genetic makeup of an individual’s cancer. He shared compelling case studies demonstrating the success of immunotherapy in treating various types of cancer, including melanoma, lung cancer, and lymphoma. However, Dr. Ramasoota also addressed the challenges in immunotherapy, such as managing side effects and identifying patients who are most likely to benefit from these therapies.
Therapeutic Antibodies: A Precision Approach to Oncology
The second presentation was led by Dr. Takashi Nakamura, Director of the Hakodate R&D Center at Asai Germanium Research Institute. Dr. Nakamura’s presentation, titled “Therapeutic Antibodies Against Cancer,” delved into the science behind monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) and their role in cancer therapy.
Dr. Nakamura outlined the history and development of therapeutic antibodies, emphasizing their high specificity and efficacy in targeting cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue. He discussed the latest innovations in antibody technology, including the development of Antibody Drug Conjugates (ADCs) and bispecific antibodies, which enhance the immune system’s ability to fight cancer. Dr. Nakamura also introduced the audience to the “Trim Away” technology, which directly eliminates cancer cell proteins, offering a novel approach to cancer treatment.
His presentation underscored the potential of therapeutic antibodies to revolutionize cancer care, providing patients with more effective and less toxic treatment options.
Medical Cannabis: Bridging Traditional and Modern Cancer Therapies
Dr. Satvinder Singh Khelae, CEO of Synnova Compounding Pharmacy and Advanced Functional Laboratory, concluded the workshop with an insightful presentation on the use of medical cannabis in cancer treatment. Dr. Khelae, a leading expert in medical cannabis, shared his extensive knowledge on how cannabis can be integrated into cancer care to manage symptoms and improve quality of life for patients.
He detailed the different types of medical cannabis, such as Full Spectrum, Broad Spectrum, and CBD Isolates, and their respective applications in cancer therapy. Dr. Khelae emphasized the importance of selecting the appropriate type and dosage of cannabis based on the patient’s specific needs. He also covered the various methods of administration, from smoking and vaporizing to oral ingestion and topical applications, each with its own set of pros and cons.
One of the highlights of Dr. Khelae’s presentation was a case study of a 63-year-old female patient with adenocarcinoma of the rectosigmoid colon. Treated with high-dose IV Vitamin C and a 50/50 THC/CBD cannabis regimen, the patient experienced significant improvements, with all tumor markers returning to normal and no side effects from the treatment. This case exemplifies the potential of medical cannabis as a complementary therapy in cancer treatment.
Lifetime Achievement Award: Honoring Excellence in Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease Research
The workshop also served as the platform to honor one of the most respected figures in the field of tropical medicine. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pongrama Ramasoota was awarded the “Lifetime Achievement in Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease Research Award” for his decades of groundbreaking work. Dr. Ramasoota has made significant contributions to the understanding and treatment of infectious diseases, particularly in tropical regions, and his research has had a profound impact on global health.
Conclusion: A United Front Against Cancer
The International Workshop on Cancer Prevention and Integrative Cancer Therapies was not just a conference; it was a call to arms. The event successfully brought together the brightest minds in cancer research and treatment, fostering an environment of collaboration and innovation. The shared knowledge and insights from this workshop are set to influence the future of cancer therapy, offering hope to millions of patients worldwide.
As Dr. Kampon aptly stated, innovation and connection are the keys to saving the world. This workshop exemplified that belief, demonstrating that by working together and embracing new ideas, we can overcome even the most formidable challenges.
Article written by Adisorn V. Ping